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authorPaul Duncan <pabs@pablotron.org>2024-07-29 01:11:24 -0400
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+---
+title: "Home Office"
+slug: "home-office"
+date: "2024-07-28"
+toc: true
+
+pics:
+ desk:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Project desk."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/desk-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/desk-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ cat-desk:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Kitty Says: Good vantage point."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-desk-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-desk-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ chair:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Work chair."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/chair-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/chair-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ cat-chair:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Kitty Says: Don't interrupt my nap."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-chair-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-chair-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ shelves:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Shelves."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/shelves-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/shelves-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ cat-shelves:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Kitty Says: Look at all this stuff..."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-shelves-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-shelves-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ before:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "State of office before our improvements."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/before-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/before-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ duron:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "A 20 year-old CPU that was slow 20 years ago."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/duron-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/duron-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+ pumpkin:
+ css: "image"
+ tip: "Slick Raspberry Pi 5 case."
+ sources:
+ - "/files/articles/home-office/pumpkin-1024.webp"
+ - src: "/files/articles/home-office/pumpkin-1024.jpg"
+ width: 1024
+ height: 771
+---
+## Introduction
+
+My home office has been a [pile of boxes and old computers](#coda "pile of crap")
+since we moved to this house a few years ago. Over the last month, we
+spent nights and weekends unpacking boxes, organizing components,
+[recycling][] old equipment, and assembling new furniture.
+
+The result: I now have an office with comfortable seating and plenty of
+space for projects.
+
+## Desk
+
+[{{< pe-figure "desk" >}}][desk-full]
+
+Desk for working on computers and electronics. The goal was to have
+enough surface area for a utility computer and the parts for couple of
+long-term projects.
+
+The area around the desk is still a work in progress; we still need to
+replace the curtains, buy a better chair, and fix the hole in the
+drywall (left by electricians when they fixed the wiring in our house).
+
+Shown in picture:
+
+- [Tangkula L-Shaped Computer Desk][desk-amazon]: 24" depth for working
+ on computers. L-shaped to fit in the corner.
+- [Samsung 32" UJ59 Series 4K UHD Computer Monitor][monitor]:
+ 32" 4K monitor with two [HDMI][] inputs. One of the [HDMI][] inputs
+ is connected to `pumpkin`, the utility [Pi 5][pi5], and the other
+ [HDMI][] input is used for whatever system I am working on at that
+ moment.
+- [Arteck Universal Backlit 7-Colors Bluetooth Keyboard][keyboard]:
+ Full-size backlit [Bluetooth][] keyboard with integrated touchpad.
+- [USB][] Keyboard: Used for old computers, with a [PS/2][] adapter if
+ necessary. Make and model unknown.
+- [Raspberry Pi 5 8GB (pumpkin)][pi5]: Connected to the [monitor][] and
+ [bluetooth keyboard][keyboard]. Low power, small form-factor utility
+ computer used for reading documentation, flashing [microSD][] cards,
+ and working with [USB][] peripherals.
+- [Logitech G5 USB Mouse][mouse]: Ancient [USB][] mouse. Used for old
+ computers.
+- [Raspberry Pi 5 8GB (lemon)][pi5]: Headless [SBC][sbc] with the green
+ [LED][] in the tall round plastic food container to the right of the
+ monitor. Used for [ARM Cortex-A76][a76] software development and
+ testing.
+- [Odroid N2L (pizza)][n2l]: Headless [SBC][sbc] with the red [LED][] in
+ the short round delivery food container to the right of the monitor.
+ Used for [ARM Cortex-A73][a73] software development and testing.
+- [Monoprice Maker Select 3D Printer V2][3d-printer]: 3D printer.
+ Hasn't been used for a few years.
+- Several old computers. I am clearing and [recycling][] them as time
+ permits.
+
+[{{< pe-figure "cat-desk" >}}][cat-desk]
+
+## Chair
+
+[{{< pe-figure "chair" >}}][chair-full]
+
+Rather than a desk and office chair, my preferred computing environment
+is a comfortable seat and a coffee table with enough space for a couple
+of laptops, some miscellaneous gadgets, and a beverage.
+
+Shown in picture:
+
+- [La-Z-Boy Recliner][recliner]: Don't know the exact model. Before
+ buying this recliner I went through a series of chairs that either
+ broke or wore out within a couple of years. This recliner has worked
+ flawlessly for 10 years.
+- [Blackout Curtains][]: Bright light gives me a headache, so these
+ curtains block it.
+- Coffee Table: Make and model unknown. I like the wood finish and the
+ bottom shelf. I think I bought it at a (now closed) [Kmart][]. I'm
+ told this is a "shaker" style coffee table.
+- [Side Tables][]: We bought these for our living room but they didn't
+ really fit. I like the marble so I commandeered them for my office.
+- [Tissue Box Cover][]: Without this cover I can't remove a tissue
+ from a small tissue box without dragging the entire box off the table.
+- [Rug][]: Easier on my feet than the cold hardwood floor. Also protects
+ the floor from scratches. Not sold in the US any more.
+- [Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, 9th Gen][x1-carbon]: Personal laptop on
+ stand to the right of the recliner.
+- [Microsoft Surface Book][surface-book]: Work laptop on coffee table.
+- [Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II][soundlink-mini]: Great
+ speaker.
+- [Baseus USB C Charger][baseus]: Used to power both laptops, the
+ [Bluetooth speaker][soundlink-mini], and other [USB][]
+ devices like my phone and bluetooth headset. Located on the lower
+ shelf of the coffee table (shown in picture below).
+
+By the way, all of the [Pis][] and [SBCs][sbc] in our house are named
+after pies:
+
+- shown in picture above: `pumpkin`, `lemon`, and `pizza`
+- located elsewhere in house: `pecan`, `keylime`, `peach`, and `fish`
+ house
+- hardware failure: `cherry` and `meat`
+
+[{{< pe-figure "cat-chair" >}}][cat-chair]
+
+## Shelves
+
+[{{< pe-figure "shelves" >}}][shelves-full]
+
+Storage shelves. The boxes in the closet still need to be unpacked and
+sorted through.
+
+Shown in picture:
+
+- [Bookcases][]: Bookcases with adjustable height shelves that fit
+ perfectly in the space available on this wall.
+- [12 Quart Clear Storage Bins][bins]: I bought 12 bins total (two 6
+ packs) and have 3 bins remaining.
+
+[{{< pe-figure "cat-shelves" >}}][cat-shelves]
+
+## Coda
+
+This section has a couple of pictures which don't fit in the sections
+above.
+
+First, here is what my office looked like before our improvements:
+
+[{{< pe-figure "before" >}}][before]
+
+Most of the computers in the back corner were junk and have been
+[recycled][recycling]. A particularly egregious example:
+
+[{{< pe-figure "duron" >}}][duron]
+
+On a more positive note...
+
+I am using a [case][vilros-case] with passive and active cooling for
+`pumpkin` (the [Pi 5][pi5] on the desk). The entire case serves as a
+passive [heat sink][]: internal metal strips and a thermal pad draw heat
+from the CPU, and the heat is dissipated by air channels on top of the
+case. The case does have a fan, but (at least for my workload) it only
+spins up for a few seconds at boot.
+
+Anyway, I think the case looks pretty slick:
+
+[{{< pe-figure "pumpkin" >}}][pumpkin]
+
+[desk-full]: /files/articles/home-office/desk.jpg
+ "Project desk."
+[cat-desk]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-desk.jpg
+ "Kitty Says: Good vantage point."
+[desk-amazon]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SD9PMWY
+ "Tangkula L-Shaped Computer Desk (amazon.com)"
+[monitor]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CS3JGPC
+ "SAMSUNG 32\" UJ59 Series 4K UHD Computer Monitor (amazon.com)"
+[hdmi]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI
+ "High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)"
+[pis]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi
+ "Raspberry Pi"
+[pi5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi#Series_and_generations
+ "Raspberry Pi 5"
+[keyboard]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KLPJQPD
+ "Arteck Universal Backlit 7-Colors Bluetooth Keyboard (amazon.com)"
+[mouse]: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Gaming-Adjustable-Weight-Cartridge/dp/B000ODN7VM
+ "Logitech G5 USB Mouse (amazon.com)"
+[bluetooth]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth
+ "Short-range wireless technology standard."
+[microsd]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SD_card#microSD
+ "MicroSD form-factor memory cards"
+[usb]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB
+ "Universal Serial Bus (USB)"
+[ps/2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_port
+ "PS/2 port"
+[chair-full]: /files/articles/home-office/chair.jpg
+ "Work chair."
+[cat-chair]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-chair.jpg
+ "Kitty Says: Don't interrupt my nap."
+[shelves-full]: /files/articles/home-office/shelves.jpg
+ "Shelves."
+[cat-shelves]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-shelves.jpg
+ "Kitty Says: Look at all this stuff..."
+[3d-printer]: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Printer-Filament-Preloaded-Printable/dp/B018GZBC3Y
+ "Monoprice Maker Select 3D Printer V2"
+[led]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode
+ "Light-emitting diode (LED)"
+[sbc]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-board_computer
+ "Single-board computer (SBC)"
+[n2l]: https://en.odroid.se/products/odroid-n2l-4gb
+ "Odroid N2L"
+[arm64]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AArch64
+ "64-bit extension to the ARM instruction set."
+[a73]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A73
+ "ARM Cortex-A73 CPU"
+[a76]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A76
+ "ARM Cortex-A76 CPU"
+[recliner]: https://www.la-z-boy.com/b/living-room-recliners/_/N-musa9i
+ "La-Z-Boy Recliner"
+[bookcases]: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/billy-bookcase-black-oak-effect-40477340/
+ "Billy bookcase (ikea.com)"
+[bins]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFFFP299
+ "Clear Storage Latch Box 12 Quart, Plastic Organizing Box/Bin with Lid and Black Handles, 6-Pack (amazon.com)"
+[rug]: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/koepenhamn-rug-flatwoven-handmade-dark-grey-50374558/
+ "KÖPENHAMN flatwoven rug, dark grey (ikea.com)"
+[blackout curtains]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BC8GXQNB
+ "H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout Curtains (amazon.com)"
+[kmart]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kmart
+ "Kmart department store chain."
+[side tables]: https://www.westelm.com/products/open-box-hex-side-table-g669/
+ "Hex Side Table, White Marble/Raw Steel (westelm.com)"
+[x1-carbon]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad_X1_series#X1_Carbon_Gen_9
+ "Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, 9th Gen (i7-1185G7)"
+[surface-book]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Book_3
+ "Microsoft Surface Book 3"
+[soundlink-mini]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WK47VEW
+ "Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II (amazon.com)"
+[baseus]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B71GPGQD
+ "Baseus USB C Charger (amazon.com)"
+[tissue box cover]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VC4N94T
+ "Monarch Abode 19427 Hand Hammered Tissue Box Square Cover Holder (amazon.com)"
+[recycling]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste_recycling
+ "electronic waste recycling"
+[before]: /files/articles/home-office/before.jpg
+ "State of office before our improvements."
+[duron]: /files/articles/home-office/duron.jpg
+ "A 20 year-old CPU that was slow 20 years ago."
+[pumpkin]: /files/articles/home-office/pumpkin.jpg
+ "Slick Raspberry Pi 5 case."
+[heat sink]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_sink
+ "Passive CPU heat exchanger."
+[vilros-case]: https://vilros.com/products/vilros-aluminum-alloy-passive-and-active-cooling-cooling-raspberry-pi-5-case-cnc-crafted
+ "Vilros Duo Deluxe Raspberry Pi 5 Case"